PROJECT INFORMATION DOCUMENT (PID) CONCEPT STAGE Public Disclosure Copy Report No.: PIDC733 Project Name Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor - II (P131765) Region SOUTH ASIA Country India Sector(s) Railways (97%), Public administration- Transportation (3%) Theme(s) Infrastructure services for private sector development (97%), Climate change (3%) Lending Instrument Adaptable Program Loan Project ID P131765 Borrower(s) Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Republic of India Implementing Agency Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited Environmental A-Full Assessment Category Date PID Prepared/ 21-Mar-2013 Updated Date PID Approved/ 21-Mar-2013 Disclosed Estimated Date of 30-Apr-2013 Appraisal Completion Public Disclosure Copy Estimated Date of 24-Oct-2013 Board Approval Concept Review Track II - The review did authorize the preparation to continue Decision I. Introduction and Context Country Context India is the fourth largest economy in the world based on a purchasing power parity comparison. The Government has set a target of sustaining GDP growth rates near 9 percent per annum. However, infrastructure deficiencies have become conspicuous constraints to continued economic development and the country’s ability to achieve this target. The twelfth Five Year Plan (2012-17) accordingly aims at channeling US$1 trillion (roughly 9-10% of GDP) into infrastructure investment. Improvements to rail transportation feature prominently in the infrastructure development plans of the country. The Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) project is an ambitious attempt to improve freight rail transportation along a quadrangle connecting four of India’s largest and most economically important cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. Beyond building a new track infrastructure, the DFC project also aims at exploring innovative ways of developing infrastructure and delivering services more efficiently. Sectoral and Institutional Context Page 1 of 7 The governance, operation and economic regulation of the railway sector in India is the responsibility of the Ministry of Railways (MOR). The Indian Railway Board (styled MOR (IRB)) Public Disclosure Copy is the executive arm of the Ministry and it exercises all the policy powers of the central government in relation to the railway sector. It controls and directs the 16 geographically-based Zonal Railway authorities that carry over 99 percent of India’s total rail traffic and which collectively - together with other manufacturing and specialist entities - constitute Indian Railways (IR). Indian Railways (IR) operates a national rail network of about 64,600 route-kilometers, the third most densely-used rail network in the world. In 2011-12, it carried 8.2 billion passengers and 969 million tonnes of freight. Its total traffic task measured by total traffic units carried has increased by nearly 110 percent in ten years. In the ten years to 2011, the freight traffic handled by IR increased by around 95 percent in terms of tonnes while doubling in terms of tonne-kms. The additional freight demand, together with rapidly growing passenger traffic, has created capacity constraints on the busiest parts of the network. These bottlenecks contribute to poor freight service quality. So although rail traffic has been increasing, its modal share has been declining, principally in favor of road transport, which has also benefited from substantial investment in new highway capacity Concerns about meeting the transport needs of India’s industries, overall transport efficiency, oil price volatility, and greenhouse gas emissions have led the Government to consider means of both increasing the capacity and performance of key sections of the railway network. The DFC program is a response to network constraints on four critical freight routes that form a quadrilateral connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata. The rail network between these cities accounts for just 16 percent by length of IR’s route network but carries more than 60 percent of its freight traffic task. With India’s freight traffic projected to grow at more than 7 percent annually, additional railway capacity is needed on these routes. The DFC program will add dedicated freight-only lines. The new lines will mainly run parallel to the existing routes but will be built to higher loading Public Disclosure Copy standards to permit the operation of longer and heavier axle-load trains, thereby more than doubling overall rail capacity in the corridors while reducing train operating costs per unit of freight. The Government of India (GOI) created the Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd. (DFCCIL) in 2007 under the Companies Act of 1956 as a special purpose vehicle to plan, build, and operate the DFCs. MOR was designated the responsible ministry for the administration of the company and to be majority shareholder of DFCCIL on behalf of the State. The equity is, at present, wholly owned by the MOR, but the sale of a minority of shares is permissible under the company’s statutes. Unlike Zonal Railways, DFCCIL will not operate freight train services directly but will make its DFC network available to an Authorized Rail User on a ‘non-discriminatory’ basis. This structure makes possible a potentially significant reform which would allow for qualified rail operators to compete in the market for rail freight services. The government determined that the commercial relationship between the MOR and DFCCIL should be set out in the form of a Concession Agreement to provide an ‘arm’s length’ relationship between MOR (IRB) and DFCCIL and to establish the latter’s effective independence in decision- making, market focus and business orientation. A Track Access Agreement will govern the conditions of use and rate of charges for using DFCCIL’s infrastructure. The operating and commercial arrangements provided by these agreements will have a critical bearing on the DFC program and DFCCIL’s financial sustainability. Initially, Zonal Railways will be the only Page 2 of 7 Authorized Rail Users so all traffic on DFCCIL’s infrastructure would be carried by IR trains. The near term financial viability of DFCCIL therefore depends on revenues earned from access purchased by MOR for use by IR trains. Over the medium to longer term, the Concession Public Disclosure Copy Agreement and Track Access Agreement will provide the framework for a wider system of MOR qualification of public and private train operators to become Authorized Rail Users, which could diversify DFCC’s customer base and expand the total rail freight market. The DFC program will be completed in stages. Phase I includes the Western Corridor (Delhi- Mumbai) and the Eastern Corridor (Ludhiana-Delhi-Kolkata). Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is financing the development of the Western Corridor which has a total length of 1,534 km. IBRD is supporting major part of the 1,816 km Eastern Corridor via a three stage Adaptable Program Loan (APL). DFCCIL has successfully begun implementing investments under an initial tranche of financing (APL-1) that the Bank provided in May 2011. An additional tranche of IBRD financing (APL-2) will now support the next stage of the Eastern Corridor’s development. APL Stages for Eastern DFC Section Length 1. Khurja - (Bhapur) Kanpur 343 km 2. Kanpur - Mughalsarai 393 km 3. Ludhiana - Khurja 397 km TOTAL 1133 km Relationship to CAS The proposed APL-2 of the DFC program will strengthen the Bank’s ongoing dialogue with both MOR (IRB) and DFCCIL on improvements in a number of areas of railway management such as construction efficiency, infrastructure productivity, heavy-haul commercial freight operations and track access regimes. The proposed APL-2 would help increase the railways’ share of the national freight transport market, thereby reducing average greenhouse gas emissions per unit of freight task Public Disclosure Copy and cohering with the Bank’s goal of promoting environment-friendly infrastructure. The Bank loan will complement the support offered by JICA for the large, lumpy and critical rail infrastructure. The program is aligned with the Bank’s Country Assistance Strategy for India (2009-2012), in particular the objectives of “achieving rapid inclusive growth� and “help remove infrastructure constraints�. The Khurja- Kanpur- Mughal Sarai section of the Eastern rail corridor also serves one of India's most densely populated areas and is home to many of its poorest citizens, who rely heavily on rail for affordable travel over medium and longer distances. The release of capacity and improvement in reliability on the existing mixed-use lines when most freight diverts to the DFCs will allow Indian Railways to better serve this large passenger market. Further, the project would expand their markets and improve access to social services among the beneficiaries by better integrating these states into the national economy. Current Status of APL-1 There has been considerable progress in many activities of the project and especially with respect to the Civil Works Contract which is awarded in January 2013. The systems contract has been placed under fast track and efforts have been made to conclude the contract by November 2013. Page 3 of 7 DFCCIL has made good progress in implementation of their Human Resource (HR) plan with increase in their total staff strength through induction of IR staff on deputation as well as direct recruitment from the market. Public Disclosure Copy DFCCIL has made significant progress in LA and more than 80% disbursement has been completed for APL-1. However, the R&R process has been slow due to late appointment of the NGOs. The updated RAP and EA has been shared and disclosed on the Bank’s website. Other recent achievements in safeguards include resolving the issue of Abadi Land (Non-title Holders) and issuance of Archeological Clearance for Budiya Ka Tal on Tundla Detour. Some major pending issues like signing of the Concession Agreement is being followed up proactively with the Implementing Agency and MOR. II. Proposed Development Objective(s) Proposed Development Objective(s) (From PCN) The project development objectives for this operation are to: (a) provide additional rail transport capacity, improved service quality and higher freight throughput on the 390 km Kanpur to Mughal Sarai section of the Eastern rail corridor; and (b) develop the institutional capacity of DFCCIL to build and maintain the DFC infrastructure network. Key Results (From PCN) Intermediate outcome indicators will capture: (a) number of additional train paths produced on the DFC; (b) volume of freight carried; (c) number of express passenger trains run on the existing corridor; and (d) improved institutional capacity of DFCCIL. III. Preliminary Description Concept Description Public Disclosure Copy The proposed operation is a US$1.05 billion loan from IBRD to finance civil works & systems and technical assistance needed for an additional 393 kms along the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor between Kanpur and Mughal Sarai. The Government of India will contribute approximately US $516 million to the project alongside the Bank’s loan. With the total cost of APL-2 as INRs.1,827 million, there would be a financing gap of 261 million and during preparation discussion will take place to bridge this gap. The implementation model and contracting strategy for implementing the infrastructure assets and undertaking subsequent operations and maintenance of the same along the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor is still under development. DFCCIL and the Ministry of Railways are examining different contract structures including PPP options. Because the DFC program is a project of national significance, a key concern is that an implementation model be adopted that aligns with the planned timing for opening the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor to traffic. A parallel challenge has emerged in the form of a US$490 million gap in the DFC program’s financing plan for the proposed Bank-financed section from Ludhiana to Mughal Sarai. Despite downward revisions in estimated costs for the initial Khurja-Kanpur section (APL-1) price escalation is expected to increase overall program costs beyond original estimates. The Government of India has also decided to cap the overall amount of IBRD lending to the project at US$2.7 billion. Page 4 of 7 The length of the Kanpur – Mughal Sarai Corridor (APL- 2) is 393 Kms (double line), of which 143 Kms are in detour section and the balance 250 Kms run parallel to the existing North Central Public Disclosure Copy Railway lines. The proposed APL-2 section traverses through 7 districts and 372 villages in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The ROW width is around 20-40 m in the parallel sections and 40-60 m in the detour sections. Four Chief Project Managers have been appointed for APL-2. Location Alternatives: Steps were taken by DFCCIL to minimize displacement including: exploring alternative alignments, reducing track distances at select locations, reducing embankment heights, ruling out service roads in built-up stretches, providing retaining wall/fencing, provisioning short detours at congested locations such as Fatehpur, Khaga, Sirathu, Barwari, Allahabad, Manda and Mirzapur, & other such initiatives. Safeguard Preparation Plan DFCCIL has established an Environmental Policy and Environmental Management Framework applicable for all its activities. It has prepared the “Green House Gas Emission Analysis� from its activities for both the Eastern and Western corridors, and estimates that the eastern dedicated freight corridor would generate about 10.48 million tons of GHGs as against 23.29 million GHGs without the project by 2041-42 : a reduction of 55 percent emissions. The project also has volunteered to pilot the ‘Climate Screening Tool’ being developed by the ‘Climate Change Team’ of the Bank, and will appropriately incorporate its findings in the design of various components of the project. DFCCIL has also developed Silicosis Reduction Strategies to be implemented in its construction activities. A detailed environmental assessment (EA) of the Kanpur – Mughal Sarai section (393 km) of APL 2, has already been prepared by DFC. The study has been prepared in line with the Environmental Management Framework agreed in APL 1 and has already been disclosed at the InfoShop and the Public Disclosure Copy DFCCIL’s web site for feedback from the stake holders. The social impact assessment for the APL-2 has been carried out by DFCCIL as per the ToR provided in the Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF). Based on the Social Impact Assessment (SIA), the Rehabilitation Action Plan (RAP) has been prepared by DFCCIL, which has been cleared by the Bank’s Regional Safeguards Adviser and disclosed on the InfoShop. The RAP has been disclosed on the DFCCIL website as well. As per the SIA and the draft RAP, the APL-2 requires 1400 ha of land of which 1250.57 ha are private land and rest 144.44 ha are government land. A total of 13,034 households are affected of whom 12,466 are loosing land including 1824 small and marginal farmers. A total of 568 households will loose land/structures including 264 residences and 14 shops with title, 166 residences and 84 shops without formal title, 15 tenants, and 25 kiosks. In addition to this, a total 55 community properties including 22 temples, 2 mosques, 3 hospitals, 5 schools, and 22 burial grounds/tombs will be affected. DFCCIL has set up a Social and Environmental Management Unit (SEMU) with a General Manager, an AGM and environmental and social specialists to plan and implement social and environment safeguards activities. It has also placed a number of Assistant Project Managers in the field for managing the safeguards activities, and will hire facilitating NGOs for implementing the R&R activities in the field and will appoint a Social and Environmental Monitoring and Review Consultants (SESMRC) for independent safeguards monitoring and annual quality audit. Page 5 of 7 IV. Safeguard Policies that might apply Safeguard Policies Triggered by the Project Yes No TBD Public Disclosure Copy Environmental Assessment OP/BP 4.01 ✖ Natural Habitats OP/BP 4.04 ✖ Forests OP/BP 4.36 ✖ Pest Management OP 4.09 ✖ Physical Cultural Resources OP/BP 4.11 ✖ Indigenous Peoples OP/BP 4.10 ✖ Involuntary Resettlement OP/BP 4.12 ✖ Safety of Dams OP/BP 4.37 ✖ Projects on International Waterways OP/BP 7.50 ✖ Projects in Disputed Areas OP/BP 7.60 ✖ V. Financing (in USD Million) Total Project Cost: 1827.00 Total Bank Financing: 1050.00 Total Cofinancing: Financing Gap: 261.00 Financing Source Amount Borrower 516.00 International Bank for Reconstruction and Develo 1050.00 Total 1566.00 VI. Contact point Public Disclosure Copy World Bank Contact: Benedictus Eijbergen Title: Lead Transport Specialist Tel: 458-7527 Email: beijbergen@worldbank.org Borrower/Client/Recipient Name: Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Republic of India Contact: Title: Tel: 23092378 Email: Implementing Agencies Name: Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Limited Contact: R.K. Gupta Page 6 of 7 Title: Managing Director Tel: 91-11-2345-4601 Email: md@dfcc.in Public Disclosure Copy VII. For more information contact: The InfoShop The World Bank 1818 H Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20433 Telephone: (202) 458-4500 Fax: (202) 522-1500 Web: http://www.worldbank.org/infoshop Public Disclosure Copy Page 7 of 7